Superintendent's retirement comes as 'shock' to Dudley-Charlton school board

Wednesday

Jan 8, 2014 at 9:24 PM

By Debbie LaPlaca CORRESPONDENT

DUDLEY — Sean M. Gilrein, superintendent of the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District, notified the school committee Wednesday of his intent to retire on Aug. 31.

"I thank the current members and past (school committee) members for the honor and privilege of leading this outstanding educational community since my appointment as superintendent in July 2001," Mr. Gilrein said. "I thoroughly enjoyed my tenure with the district."

Mr. Gilrein, a Charlton resident, joined the Dudley-Charlton district in 1993 as assistant principal for Shepherd Hill Regional High School. Two years later, he was named the school's principal and remained in the role until 2001, when he accepted the post of superintendent.

"It's a shock, I'm sure, for all of us," committee member Catherine M. Kabala said. "You will be a hard act to follow."

Committee chairwoman Pauline J. Aucoin also called his notice "a shock" to the committee and thanked Mr. Gilrein for his years of service.

"No matter what the challenge, you always attacked it with extreme enthusiasm and dedication and you will be sorely missed by all," she said.

Mr. Gilrein closed his statements with "heartfelt sentiments" regarding his working relationship with the school committee and his staff.

"Serving as superintendent has been an experience that I will always cherish, and when I leave, I will carry with me a seemingly never-ending collection of wonderful memories," he said.

As the district's top executive, Mr. Gilrein oversees about 550 employees and 4,200 students.

Prior to joining Dudley-Charlton, he also held positions in the Oxford Public School District as a teacher, director of alternative education, director of a special education, and director/curriculum supervisor.